In the News: Jahmal Miller on Health Inequality

In an op-ed with the Sacramento Business Journal, Blue Shield of California's Jahmal Miller writes, ' race, class, gender and income should not determine a person’s quality of life or life expectancy, but unfortunately, these are far too often indicators of health outcomes.'

April 26, 2019

In an op-ed with the Sacramento Business Journal, Jahmal Miller writes "race, class, gender and income should not determine a person’s quality of life or life expectancy, but unfortunately, these are far too often indicators of health outcomes."

This is nothing short of a crisis, contributing to persistent challenges such as escalating health care costs coupled with unequal health outcomes that perennially evade a “free market” health care system flooded annually by trillions of dollars.

Miller adds:

A 2018 W.K. Kellogg Foundation study reports that $135 billion annually is the projected economic benefit if health disparities are reduced in the United States. Therefore, we have an opportunity. Business executives, civic leaders and influencers must become catalysts of sustainable solutions because it’s the righteous thing to do. Meaningful actions taken with greater emphasis on social impact and corporate citizenship are proven ways to jumpstart changes required to avoid human suffering and to realize a society that experiences economic and social improvements for all.

So yes, health disparities have real costs and must be taken seriously. No time to laugh to keep from crying. And tears won’t solve a crisis, action will.